Quality evaluation of powdered ogi produced from maize-sorghum and soybean flour blends in Nigeria

Ogi is a fermented cereal porridge usually made from single cereals such as maize (Zea mays). In traditional production, it is sometimes combined with other cereals such as sorghum or millet. It is usually in semi-solid form after production and has low shelf stability. This study was carried out to produce and evaluate the quality of ogi powder from mixtures of selected cereals (maize and sorghum), with soybean inclusion as advancement for improving the nutritive value of the product. Ogi flour was obtained from grains of maize and sorghum by weighing, sorting, soaking (for 72 hours), wet milling, sieving, dewatering, oven-drying, pulverizing and sieving through muslin cloth with maximum pore size of 20 mm. Optimal blend (70:30) for maize - sorghum ogi cumulating to 100% maize - sorghum mixture was obtained from a preliminary study; and fortified with soybean in the ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 100:0. The samples were analyzed for functional, proximate and micronutrient properties using standard methods. Results of water absorption and swelling capacity showed significant (p<0.05) differences among the samples. Proximate composition results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all samples and ranged as follows: moisture (5.39 - 7.72%), protein (6.22 - 21. 46%), ash (2.66 - 3.64%), crude fibre (2.22 - 2.65%), crude fat (4.22 - 10.22%) and carbohydrate (51.31 - 79.14%). The micronutrient levels were improved and ranged from 166 - 360 mg/100g calcium, 1.15 - 3.22 mg/100g iron, 24.3 - 47.6 IU ß-carotene and 0.59 - 0.89 mg/100g thiamine. Soybean addition generally improved the quality of the samples. Protein increase was observed from 20% inclusion of soybean. The maximum inclusion level of 50% increased the protein content of the sample to 21.5%. Despite adding value and variety to ogi meal due to its powdered form, fortifying maize-sorghum ogi with soybean would reduce the problem of malnutrition especially among children who are usually fed ogi as infant formulae in developing countries.

Ionic and Electronic Conductivities of Lithium Argyrodite Li6PS5Cl Electrolytes Prepared via Wet Milling and Post-Annealing

Lithium argyrodite Li6PS5Cl powders are synthesized from Li2S, P2S5, and LiCl via wet milling and post-annealing at 500°C for 4 h. Organic solvents such as hexane, heptane, toluene, and xylene are used during the wet milling process. The phase evolution, powder morphology, and electrochemical properties of the wet-milled Li6PS5Cl powders and electrolytes are studied. Compared to dry milling, the processing time is significantly reduced via wet milling. The nature of the solvent does not affect the ionic conductivity significantly; however, the electronic conductivity changes noticeably. The study indicates that xylene and toluene can be used for the wet milling to synthesize Li6PS5Cl electrolyte powder with low electronic and comparable ionic conductivities. The all-solid-state cell with the xylene-processed Li6PS5Cl electrolyte exhibits the highest discharge capacity of 192.4 mAh·g−1 and a Coulombic efficiency of 81.3% for the first discharge cycle.

Effect of Different Black Quinoa Fractions (Seed, Flour and Wet-Milling Coproducts) upon Quality of Meat Patties during Freezing Storage

In this study, the quality of meat patty samples containing different black quinoa fractions (seed, flour and wet-milling coproducts) was evaluated during freezing preservation. Composition, physicochemical parameters (aw, pH, colour and texture), cooking properties, lipid oxidation and sensory characteristic were studied in four batches (control and 8% concentration of quinoa seed, flour and wet-milling coproducts added) at 30, 60 and 90 days of freezing (−20 ± 1 °C). Different black quinoa fraction addition affected (p < 0.05) physiochemical properties, improved cooking properties and reduced lipid oxidations during freezing storage. Batches with flour and wet-milling coproducts added were the most stable for texture parameters and lipid oxidation during freezing. The results obtained showed that quinoa wet-milling co-products could be considered a valuable sustainable and organic food ingredient, maintaining nutritional and global qualities of the fresh meat product. In addition, freezing storage is an effective way to prolong the shelf life of patties with different black quinoa fractions, added without affecting quality.

Prospects of Maize (Corn) Wet Milling By-Products as a Source of Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals

Maize (corn) consists of distinct parts, germ, endosperm, and pericarp, with different chemical compositions. During the maize wet milling process, the maize is disintegrated into the main product starch and by-products, including corn germ, corn fiber and corn gluten (the technical term for corn endosperm specific proteins and not the same as wheat gluten). These by-products are used as low-value animal feed products. The corn germ contains high amounts of tocols and phospholipids, while the corn gluten is rich in carotenoids and the corn fiber fraction is rich in phytosterols and complex carbohydrates. Each by-product has the potential to serve as a precursor in the manufacture of functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties. These food ingredients/nutraceuticals can be obtained through physical, chemical or enzymatic processes. Some nutraceuticals and food ingredients with market potential include corn fiber gum, oil, arabinoxylans, and xylo-oligosaccharides from corn fiber; corn germ oil and phospholipid ester from corn germ; and carotenoids and oligopeptides from corn gluten. This review focuses on current and prospective research into the use of corn germ, corn fiber and corn gluten in the production of potentially high-quality food ingredients or nutraceuticals.